'Momentous day' for Waterford as permission is granted for major North Quays development

Waterford City and County Council has granted planning permission for the development of the first phase of the North Quays Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) in Waterford city.

The mixed-use development will include significant residential accommodation (350 units), as well as office and hotel accommodation, retail offerings and high-quality public realm spaces.

The development by Harcourt Developments places a significant emphasis on connecting the north and south quays, and improving the public realm through investment in new high quality civic spaces, including sustainable transport infrastructure, which will connect the Waterford and the South-East Greenways via the city centre and new sustainable transport bridge.

Sean McKeown, Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council commented: “This is a momentous day for Waterford and the wider region. The North Quays Infrastructure Project is progressing well, with the impressive integrated transport hub on Frank Cassin Wharf, the construction of the five access bridges over the rail corridor and new greenway, and the much anticipated arrival of the sustainable transport bridge from Belgium next month."

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The direct benefit to Waterford of the investment in the SDZ Site is anticipated to be in excess of €350m over the next six years, with 200 people employed during construction and upwards of 1,500 jobs to be created following completion of phase one of the development.

Led by  to Harcourt Developments (t/a Hopcast Limited), construction of the development is anticipated to start later this year.

Harcourt Developments is a Dublin-based property development and management company with a broad portfolio of award-winning projects, that boasts Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, Northern Ireland’s most important regeneration project. 

The main objective of the North Quays is to attract further investment in Waterford city from indigenous and multinational companies, expanding the tourism and hospitality sectors in addition to increasing the housing stock.

The Land Development Agency is also engaging with Harcourt in respect of the residential elements of the project.  These investments are integral in achieving the objectives set out on the National Planning Framework, which calls for the rapid expansion of Waterford city to over 85,000 people.